§ Mr. HendryTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will remove the VAT on the purchase and fitting of water sprinklers in domestic properties. [103673]
§ John HealeyWhen installed during the construction of a house, water sprinkler systems benefit from the general VAT zero rate that applies to the construction of new houses. Under the long-standing formal agreements with our European partners, the UK may keep its existing zero rates but may not extend their scope or introduce new ones. There is therefore no scope to remove VAT on the installation of water sprinkler systems in existing homes.